Who drinks Coke Zero on the regular? Who has given it up?

ljaroch

I love Cherry Coke Zero, but I know when I drink more than 1 can/bottle a day I am more sluggish and just don't feel good. I was on a program last year with a trainer/nutritionist and they said since I really do love it for a treat I could have 1 a day maximum IF I also got ALL of my water and my workout in as well. If I didn't I couldn't have the Coke. It worked really well for me and now that I'm back in the swing of things I'm going to start doing that again. I realize that it's not good for me and there are chemicals, but of all the junk we are getting away with, all the clean eating we are trying to do, a Coke Zero as a treat now and then is a lot better than the crap I have been eating.

fourspeed

Can't help you, gave up soda entirely years ago. Pretty much just liquid poison.

55AngelH55

IMO, you gotta do what you gotta do.
At this point, I was drinking 4 liters of regular pepsi/day... so for me to switch to diet pepsi or pepsi max is a HUGE step, and I have noticed good things from that alone.
If it helps you and you enjoy it... it's not adding calories, so as far as WEIGHT LOSS (specifically) goes, I'd say go for it.

If you're worried about the long-term effects of diet-soda (I hear they cause cancer, other types of damage, and almost certain death...), then yea - you'd have to give up any soda.

... as well as almost everything else you don't grow in your own backyard and clean in a fresh-water spring, and cook over an open flame in your yard.

Enjoy your coke zero, girl.

feltlikesound

I drink diet pepsi, minimum of a can a day on normal days, sometimes up to 4 or 5 since I don't drink alcohol, so it's my "social beverage" if I am out with friends, etc. I went through a quitting period, and did not notice any positive outcomes from it (other than a little more money in my pocket), and it is something I sincerely enjoy, so I brought it back in.

I literally do not drink any other beverages besides water, so I pretty easily justify my guilty pleasure .

mrstweedle1

Cherry Coke Zero is an addiction for me. It is the only pop I drink and tastes amazingly like the real thing. I also try to limit myself to only having 2 a day and only after noon. Otherwise I drink water. I buy it on sale by the 12 pack. I am currently drinking the last one I have... and it's not on sale anywhere so there may be a crisis here.

MindyBlack

I try, oh so hard not to drink it. Sometimes it calls to me.

californiagirl1950

I love coke zero and always drank it or other type when at the casino. I was always thirsty and thought it must of been from the smoke in the casino, then my son said, "mom, it is the sodium in it, it dries your mouth out so you want more". I thought he was crazy until I actually read the label. So I gave it up, drink one once in a blue moon and feel better actually now and drink lots of water, tea and diet green tea.

possibri

I wasn't ever a Coke Zero drinker, but I definitely was addicted to Diet Coke. I'd have anywhere from 2-7 cans a day, definitely on the lower end of that when I started to phase it out, though. I've been pretty much Diet Coke (well, diet soda of any kind) free for about 3 months or so. The first month was awful. If I heard someone open a can (of anything) I'd immediately crave a soda. Luckily, I've become really sensitive to artificial sweeteners (headaches, nausea, dizziness, lightheaded-ness), so it was easier to let them go because I didn't like the way they made me feel. I started subbing them with carbonated mineral water (usually lime flavored) and that helped TREMENDOUSLY.

Now when I have the opportunity to get soda (usually at a fast food place) I choose unsweetened tea (and I try to keep Stevia packets on hand) instead. In fact, I decided I'd splurge and get Diet Coke yesterday, took maybe 3 or 4 sips and realized I didn't want it. Was a pretty amazing feeling, actually lol

raygunpa

I completely gave up all artificial sweeteners and high fructose corn syrup. If I want something sweet then I go for good old sugar. I just add it to my list. Read "The French Don't Diet Plan: 10 Simple Steps to Stay Thin for Life" The author has some great insights on artifical sweeteners.

jpaw1002

Hi....I'm Jpaw...and....i'm a coke zero addict. i have to have one in the morning and usually one w/ my meals and if i get tired or stressed at work. i used to be a huge coke fiene. but i wingged myself off and onto coke zero, i've been drinking it since it came out and i am so glad they finally have it at restaurants!!!

fitfocusedfamily

Hi all

I am a coke zero fiend. I usually drink it everyday and I find that it helps me when I'm trying to lose weight as I like to have a glass with of after a meal to make it more satisfying. It helps me in between meals when I start to get cranky and also when I want to avoid alcohol.

I've given it up over periods of a couple weeks to a month when I've tried to 'eat clean.' But I end up missing it so much and giving in to the sweet, acidic hit I've been hooked for years now!

Does anyone else drink it as much as I do?

Has anyone given it up and noticed health/weight improvements?

Can anyone convince me once and for all not to spend $10 a week on a concoction of chemicals?

Here are a couple of articles with information to consider.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/194619-harmful-effects-of-diet-soft-drinks/

http://www.livestrong.com/article/377159-do-diet-soft-drinks-interfere-with-weight-loss/

In short, you may notice in the beginning that it helps curb your appetite for some foods. However, in the long term, it is doing the exact opposite for you. This is the reason you drink so much of it.

needamulligan

I am a 40 year addict (Tab first and then solidly Diet Coke). I probably drank half a gallon/day. I have never been successful in completely giving it up but I can happily say that I am a down to a few cans per month. I have started drinking a lot more water. This is in no way scientific but I feel like giving up diet pop has helped with my weight loss. I don't know if it's the sodium or the sweetness triggers cravings. I haven't really had any cravings since I gave up diet pop. However, I've also limited fat, sodium and carbs which I know cause me to lose control of my diet. Hey, every little bit of a change helps.

VickyClare75

Hi,

I used to drink loads of pop, sometimes 2+ litres a day (sugar free only) but since I've been on MFP I have only had the 1 can of Coke Zero and I'm surprised that I'm not missing it like I thought I would. I've even got to like the taste of water which I'd never thought I'd say lol

Enjoy your Fizzy Friend if it suits you :happy:

I just wish I could cut back on the coffee that's one "fix" I don't think I'll ever be able to give up :drinker:

All the best, Vicky x

Jemellc

If you really want to give it up...think about whats in that coke or what they used to put in it....lol. I have been pop/soda free since July 4th 2011. You got this! I know you can cut it completely. Good luck!

- JC

HypersonicFitNess

I gave up all soda when diagnosed with migraines; I have never gone back to drinking it. Even now if we do a road trip and I decide I want a soda; I find a drink maybe 1/4 (a few sips) and never drink the rest.

IceDragon72

Coke Zero is my weakness. I've tried over and over to give up diet sodas (I've given up regular sodas pretty easily) but I just need a caffeine fix sometimes, lol. I drink no more than two a day, and that is usually on days I am doing intermittent fasting. I find that the caffeine (or something) in it fights my cravings. In general, it doesn't give me cravings, but I was one of those "Big Mac, Large Fries and Large Diet Coke" people...now I just don't do the fast food at all!! LOL! :laugh:

azure7

I used to drink it pretty much every evening on my way from work to school...for the caffeine. I replaced it with home-brewed iced tea or iced coffee. I figured it woud be better to get some antioxidants with coffee/tea instead of a bunch manufactured chemicals. I don't miss it at all and it actually doesn't taste as good to me as it used to.

geebusuk

As far as the 'chemicals' go; apparantly there are high levels of 'dhmo' in it!
http://www.dhmo.org/facts.html

:laugh: :happy:

jawheb

Weaned myself off come zero about 2 months ago. Never looked back. Hardest thing ever. I drank like 3-4 a day everyday.

jawheb

I meant coke zero. Small iPhone keyboard lol

PaigeJMP

A former Coke Zero fiend here. Gave it up, and all fake sugars (nutrisweet, splenda, sucralose, etc) on June 1, 2012. Lost 5 pounds, feel much better, and never going back to drinking/eating fake sugar. After reading Boost Your Metabolism by Jillian Michaels, I swore off fake sugar forever. I've started to love and appreciate plain water.

vytamindi

A home remedy for cleaning your toilet is to use a can of Coke..

That should be enough to make anyone stop drinking that stuff..

So is baking soda, but that's used in everything, too!

I have faith in my stomach acids. If you guys aren't addicted, why not indulge?

lilmisfit

I gave up all soda pop 6 years ago.

kclarkss

I used to drink diet coke alot. I gave it up 3 years ago for almost a year. Then I had a sip and it tasted yucky and then I had a few more and it tasted yummy. So I got addicted that fast again. This past June I gave up diet coke, but traded it in for coke. I use to never like coke to bitey. Husband was surprised to see me drink coke. I said I only needed a few sips throughout the day. I took notice the calories in it and thought I didn't need that extra 1000 or so calories a week. So in August I completely gave up both even when going out.

To stop the craving for coke, diet coke etc. I have a glass of water with lemon juice (from a whole lemon).

kclarkss

A former Coke Zero fiend here. Gave it up, and all fake sugars (nutrisweet, splenda, sucralose, etc) on June 1, 2012. Lost 5 pounds, feel much better, and never going back to drinking/eating fake sugar. After reading Boost Your Metabolism by Jillian Michaels, I swore off fake sugar forever. I've started to love and appreciate plain water.

I also gave up the above and stevia and truvia. Stevia and Truvia made my tongue hurt. I have gotten use to drinking unsweetened ice tea and lemon water with no sweetners.

vytamindi

Oh yea! Sometimes it's the carbonation you crave, so maybe sparkling water is best. Not club soda... I think that's the one with sugars/carbs/calories/whatever in it?

innocenceportrayed

I refuse to drink coke of any kind, too fizzy, makes me burp a lot. I do drink pepsi and have gone from 2-3 8oz bottles/cans a day down to 1 a week(usually half one day and half another) and once you give it up for a while and go back to it, you wont even like the way it tastes anymore. The only reason I drink it is the caffeine, otherwise I don't even like the taste of it anymore. I'd pick water over it any day. That goes for all soda I've tried to have since I started drinking 8-12 glasses of water a day.

wellbert

I've given up diet sodas before. It really made no difference.

Shausil82

Soda is evil in my eyes.

JaneMills0

I drink diet coke by the gallon (hate coke zero). Its my only indulgence and a pretty innocent one at that. I dieting to live, not living to diet.